National Historic Ships photographic awards 2015, and the Marsh Volunteer award

Some favourite winning shots from the NHSUK’s 2015 photographic competition, including the overall winner at top left. And isn’t the elderly gent in the lifejacket the redoubtable Dunkirk veteran and peace campaigner Jim Radford?

The National Historic Ships UK 2015 photography competition and Marsh Volunteer Awards winners received their prizes at an awards ceremony last week board HQS Wellington on the Thames in London.

The awards were presented by actor, television presenter and traditional boat owner and enthusiast Griff Rhys Jones.

The awards set out to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with historic vessels through photography, volunteering, or by operating them, and encourage the public to go on board at festivals and events.

The overall winner of the 2015 photography competition was Alaistair Ramsay from Anstruther, Fife for his image, Reaper passing The Blocks at St Monans. It was chosen from over 400 entries to scoop the £1,000 prize. The money will go to a vessel of Alaistair’s choice on the National Register of Historic Vessels.

Judge Steffan Meyric Hughes from Classic Boat magazine, said: “Despite such a tight field in most categories, the overall winner was unanimously chosen for its wonderful composition, great use of monochrome and emotional content.”

To see the photos shortlisted for the competition – and there are more really good entries among them – click here.

The competition has been supported this year by Adlard Coles, Classic Boat, Fat Beehive, International Boatbuilding Training College Portsmouth, Event Broadcasting Training Academy, Claudia Myatt, and Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust.

Now in its fifth year, the Marsh Volunteer Awards recognise outstanding volunteers in the conservation or operation of historic vessels in the UK.

Richard Meehan who volunteers on the historic Tug boat, TID 164 was named as the 2015 Marsh Volunteer Award winner and receives a prize of £500.

The Marsh Team Volunteer Award was presented to Group 199 for their efforts in operating and maintaining Steam Pinnace 199. The team received a prize of £1,000.

An ‘Outstanding Contribution’ Award of £500 was presented to volunteers in the HMS Belfast Conservation Team for their tireless work, helping to preserve the historic warship.

The Marsh Volunteer Awards are supported by the Marsh Christian Trust.

The Annual National Flagship of the Year Award for operational vessels was awarded to the ketch Irene in recognition of her outstanding public programme, with Regional Flagship Awards going to Huff of Arklow (South West); HMS Medusa (Solent); Havengore (Thames) and Thistle (East Anglia).

For further details on the vessels on the three National Registers and the Replica List held by National Historic Ships UK visit www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk.